February 1

The Innocents' Day

These were redeemed from among men, being the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. Revelation 14:4, 5.

"VERILY I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." In order to remind us of this our Saviour's judgment, the Church, like a careful teacher, calls us back year by year upon this day from the bustle and fever of the world. She takes advantage of the Massacre of the Innocents to bring before us a truth which else we might think little of, to sober our wishes and hopes of this world, our high ambitious thoughts, or our anxious fears, jealousies, and cares by the picture of the purity, peace, and contentment which are the characteristics of little children; and independently of the benefit thus accruing to us, it is surely right and meet thus to celebrate the death of the Holy Innocents, for it was a blessed one. To be brought near to Christ, and to suffer for Christ, is surely an unspeakable privilege; to suffer anyhow, even unconsciously. Surely this massacre had in it the nature of a sacrament; it was a pledge of the love of the Son of God towards those who were included in it. Let us take these little children as in some sense Martyrs, and see what instruction we may gain from the pattern of their innocence.

May all (they) taught us in our hearts abide, And there make music sweet, Till we through tribulation purified, Rest with (them) at Christ's Feet.